Update: I just got this e-mail from a pro rider (friend):
"My honest opinion is that anyone who thinks they are strong enough to be worrying about start position, should therefore be strong enough to find their way around 1,000 slower riders over the course of over 6 miles."

How do they time the event? I'm assuming with that many people there must be a timing chip or something. I can't believe they would add on the time it takes you to actually cross the start line from the back of the pack to your final time...Either way, I'm sure you'll find your way through pack!

Dave- Yes, chip timed. Looking at splits from last year there were a few guys that went right around 8:00 simply off of starting super conservatively. Hopefully if I can get up St Kevins without getting taken off my bike I'll be good to go. I imagine I will be yelling the entire first 6 miles "ON YOUR LEFT!!". Along with many other guys! It's going to be pretty sketchy.

Your friend is right, you will easily move past all who are slower over 6 miles, BUT, it sucks to have to do so, as this is a huge race and you will lose a several minutes right off the bat and expend unnecessary energy in doing so (many slower riders can ride relatively strong over the initial 6 miles of pavement). That said, there is probably not much you can do about it and thus just have to work that into your strategy. Next year you will be on the front line.

Thanks JV! I appreciate the advice and boost in confidence. Once the gun goes off I figure it'll work itself out. Another friend said I will lose 10:00 at the worst because of the corrals. Over 8-9 hours that's not enough to lose sleep over. Thanks again

Caps-lock aside, I think it could actually be a huge benefit in the end. I'm assuming drafting is minimal, and you could compete at the top on a training day, solo. If there's anything I'd be afraid of, it a Lucho going inside himself, tuning shit out, and crushing dreams.

While I appreciate your humility in saying that you haven't earned the right to have a higher seeding, if I'm a middle of the pack rider (which I would be if I were riding), I'd 100% want you in front of me. Having an elite rider in the back -- even if he hasn't technically shown his prowess on that specific type of course -- is kinda dangerous and will only exacerbate the effed up nature of the start -- not that any of that is your fault, but it's true. With your overall credentials, a reasonable race director would want you near the front. If you have someone you think you could call, I think it's in everyone's best interests that you do.

Kieran- And then there's that. Which I can't disagree with either. I suspect that there will be several HUNDRED riders who are shooting for sub 9:00 and many more fully capable of going sub 10 and there absolutely will be a ton of dangerous situations because of the corrals. The only thing I can do is send my 'resume' in to the race office and hope they listen then? Thanks

Pump those Small Block 8's up to about 70 psi. Raise your seat hieght and forward positioning. Incorporate some pseudo aero positioning on your practice rides.It's an additional challenge.Now go kick it in the ass.Jeff